Statement of Intent as Philippaerts Twins Shape Basel Cosmopolitans’ 2026 Ambitions

With the signing of Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts, the Basel Cosmopolitans presented by Les Trois Rois signal clear intent - pairing proven GCL success with a squad built to challenge at the very top in 2026.

As the GCL looks ahead to the 2026 season, few off-season moves have sent a stronger signal of intent than the transfer of Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts to the Basel Cosmopolitans. Long-standing pillars of Stockholm Hearts, the Belgian twins now step into a new chapter with one of the League’s fastest-rising teams - and in doing so, may have reshaped the balance of power before the first bell has even rung.

Few names in the GCL carry the weight of the Philippaerts legacy. Since the League’s inception, Nicola and Olivier have amassed an extraordinary 35 podium finishes recorded in the GCL Hall of Fame. Their record includes two GCL Super Cup podiums and membership of two Championship-winning teams with the London Knights in 2018 and 2019, cementing their reputation as riders who deliver when titles are on the line. Their consistency, composure, and ability to perform across formats have made them among the most reliable team riders in the sport.

For the Basel Cosmopolitans, now entering just their second season in the League, this transfer represents more than a headline signing - it is a statement of ambition. Quietly supported by the Straumann family, whose long-term vision underpins the team’s direction, the Cosmopolitans enjoyed a highly credible debut campaign in 2025, finishing seventh overall in their first year of competition. Momentum continued to build throughout the season, culminating in a fourth-place finish in the GCL Super Cup, alongside standout second-place stage podiums in both Monaco and London - two venues that test very different strengths and underline the team’s growing versatility.

Adding the Philippaerts twins into an already dynamic roster elevates the Cosmopolitans from promising contenders to genuine championship threats. Their 2026 line-up blends experience, depth, and emerging talent, featuring Géraldine Straumann [U25], Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, Zascha Nygaard, Nicola Philippaerts, Olivier Philippaerts, and Andreas Schou - who also serves as Team Manager.

Schou’s dual role places him at the centre of this evolving project, guiding a squad that now combines proven championship pedigree with youthful energy and international breadth. Schou’s dual role places him at the centre of this evolving project, guiding a squad that now combines proven championship pedigree with youthful energy and international breadth. “I’m very happy to have Nicola and Olivier on the team. Not only are they fantastic riders who always manage to have great horses, but they’re also wonderful horse people and colleagues who always put their horses first,” he says.

For Nicola and Olivier, the move signals a new challenge and the start of a new chapter at a pivotal moment in their careers. For the Basel Cosmopolitans, it marks a defining moment in their short but rapidly accelerating GCL journey. And for the League as a whole, it sets the tone for a season where established hierarchies may be tested earlier - and more decisively - than ever before.

As 2026 approaches, one thing is clear: the Basel Cosmopolitans are no longer building quietly. With the Philippaerts twins on board, they arrive at the start of the season with history behind them, momentum beside them, and the unmistakable intent to compete at the very top.

-

The team is presented by Les Trois Rois, with the official imagery for this announcement captured at the historic Basel hotel.

Image credits: Basel Cosmopolitans / Helen Cruden / Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois